MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III and the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines exchanged messages of peace during the celebration of the 13th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day on Tuesday.
“Peace and stability are necessary components…for everybody’s progress,” Aquino said before thanking Zhao Jianhua for his “poignant” and “kind” words.
“We are both committed to improving the lot and circumstances of our people,” he said.
Zhao said he was optimistic that things would turn out better amid the territorial disputes between the Philippines and his country.
“The Chinese government has always attached great importance to its relationship with the Philippines,” he said.
“I believe we have the wisdom, the patience and the courage to settle the dispute through negotiations and consultations,” the ambassador added.
Both Aquino and Zhao were invited by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) for their joint celebration of the 116th Philippine Independence Day and the 13th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day.
At the start of the program, FFCCCII President Alfonso Sis said the Filipino-Chinese community is “confident” that the friendship between the two countries “will not be disturbed by the current territorial dispute issue.”
He said they are hoping for an “amicable resolution,” taking into consideration the “advantages of sustained economic cooperation and trade ties” of the Philippines and China.
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